Cardinals’ Opening Week: Key Stats and Surprising Performances

JJ Wetherholt’s Opening Day home run may become a defining highlight of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2026 season. Amid the buzz of the season’s start, Wetherholt delivered a moment that fans will remember. With the pitch 2.8 inches off the plate, many thought it was improbable for the ball to clear the fence, yet Wetherholt defied expectations.

This remarkable achievement is notably rare for the Cardinals. In 2025, the team recorded zero home runs from left-handed batters on pitches outside the corner, with Lars Nootbaar’s hit against the Phillies being the furthest outside at that time. Across Major League Baseball, only 30 pitches off the outside plate were hit for home runs by lefties last year, with Wetherholt’s blast being one of the furthest. At 5’9” and 190 pounds, his ability to drive such a pitch showcases his exceptional bat control and power to the opposite field.

On the mound, the Cardinals’ pitching staff is still searching for the strikeout prowess they’ve long desired, but there are promising signs in their average fastball velocity. Currently, the team averages 95.2 MPH on four-seam fastballs, a jump from 94.3 MPH last season. This increase has propelled them from 18th to 7th in MLB rankings, with most of the improvement coming from the starting rotation, though the bullpen has seen a slight uptick as well. Despite struggles in other areas of pitching, this velocity increase provides a glimmer of hope.

Offensively, the Cardinals have yet to fully capitalize on their potential. While they rank 21st in team wRC+ after 225 plate appearances, their expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA) of .327 ties them for seventh in the league. Although it’s early in the season, and they’ve faced tough pitching, the offensive outlook remains encouraging as they continue to find their rhythm.

Jordan Walker has stood out with a notable transformation this season, boasting a 25% chase rate that has helped him maintain a lower strikeout rate. His improved performance at the plate is evidenced by a higher average launch angle and an increased sweet-spot percentage. Although it’s premature to draw definitive conclusions, Walker appears more at ease than ever before.

As for fan engagement, the Cardinals have seen average attendance through their first homestand nearly matching last year’s figures at 27,409. This consistency will be monitored as a barometer of public sentiment towards the team, especially following a winter of significant roster changes. Given the relative optimism among fans, the team likely welcomes these attendance numbers.

In the minor leagues, the Cardinals are enjoying a strong start, posting a 10-1 record across their affiliates. Memphis has been particularly impressive, starting the season 7-0, fueled by standout performances from players like Jimmy Crooks and Blaze Jordan, both exceeding an OPS of 1.300. Springfield kicked off their season with a win behind Jurrangelo Cijntje’s stellar debut, while the Peoria Chiefs shined with Ryan Franklin striking out nine in a dominant outing.

As the minor league season unfolds, the Cardinals’ farm system appears well-balanced, with a promising distribution of talent across levels. While some lower-level teams may not score as highly on prospect rankings, they still feature high-upside players who could elevate their stock as the season progresses.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.